Another candidate fired on The Apprentice

Harry Clough has become the 11th candidate to be fired on this year’s 20th anniversary edition of The Apprentice.

Following the teams’ woeful performance in Hong Kong in the first episode of the series, Lord Sugar gave them a shot at redemption with a new list of nine items to purchase on the Isle of Wight.

As expected, the list included some tricky items – Rhubarb & Custard, Something Blue, Iguanodon, Mauchline Ware, Red Duster, Bird Nests, Sup (a stand-up paddleboard), Black Cassette (8-speed) and Maddock White (30 bulbs).

Levi Hague was appointed by Lord Sugar as project manager of his team and duly led them to victory, purchasing eight out of the nine items, for a total of £614.07, including a £100 fine.

Looking to prove himself again, Kieran McCartney led the other team but they only managed to secure seven of the nine items, incurring a fine of £200 for a total of £744.

Kieran chose to bring back Conor Galvin and Harry, blaming them for the sub-team not bagging a crucial eighth item – the rhubarb and custard sweets – at the last moment.

“Kieran, to be fair this is nowhere near the disaster it was in Hong Kong,” said Lord Sugar. “Conor, you’re a good talker, but the sweets, you should have gone and got them, it’s as simple as that.

“And Harry, [on the deal for the paddleboard], you should have walked away and found another vendor. But Kieran, I gave you two cracks at the whip and you failed on both occasions – and for that reason, you give me a dilemma. Do I like your character? Do I like your spirit? Yes. Conor, I like your spirit also.

“It is regretful when I say that my gut feeling is telling me – Harry, you’re fired.”

Speaking in the taxi afterwards, Harry said: “I’m gutted to go out on those negotiations – I thought they were good enough but obviously they weren’t in the end. It’s just such a shame, I would have loved to have gone further but it wasn’t meant to be.”

The Apprentice continues next Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer with a task that sees the candidates face the daunting prospect of selling products on a TV shopping channel.